As attention is again directed toward Fort Hood/Killeen for a shooting apparently caused by one soldier’s rage, the continuing story of that Central Texas town, should be the number of active duty and retired military that have paid a price that goes little noticed.

During my frequent visits to Killeen, I’m always reminded of their sacrifice by the number of Purple Heart (PH) and Disabled Vereran (DV) license plates you see on the streets and parking lots. More than any other city in the U.S.

Shootings that involve the military will always get more national attention than the more numerous shootings in Chicago, Detroit, L.A., etc.

Explore where you live.

Take a drive to Killeen and look for the PH and DV license plates and while there visit Fort Hood’s museums.

— Joe Blackwell, Bedford

Arlington ordinance

How about the Arlington Police Department ticket the panhandlers who walk among vehicles stopped at intersections with cardboard signs?

Ticket them also because I am certain that they do not have city permission to beg.

— Andy Schuck, Burleson

Wasting water?

Memorial day is marked for the grand opening of Hawaiian Falls water park in White Settlement.

Millions of gallons of water will be wasted everyday. This waste will be to entertain / amuse 300,000 visitors around the year.

Texas is suffering from severe drought.

City of Mineral Wells has water sufficient only for 350 days.

What is the priority? To save water to help the west Texas drought?

Or to entertain 300,000 visitors?

When Congress is trying to reduce gas guzzling SUVs and minivans, why should the water guzzling water parks be allowed to operate? Who will benefit from the income and profits?

Do not argue about positive impact on income of city of White Settlement and surrounding area. The cost to a dying and thirsty city like Mineral Wells is much more.

— Hemant Pandya. Irving

Guns and pipes

The prototypical pipe smoker of the past was a college professor with a salt-and-pepper beard wearing a worn out tweed jacket with leather patches on the elbow area.

When research showed that even secondhand smoke could be harmful, Professor Pipe was banned from restaurants, hotels, workplaces and every other area where people could be present.

Governmental agencies, local to national, created these prohibitions to protect the public.

These same agencies are now steadfastly working to make sure that individuals can open carry loaded weapons in all places public or private.

Can I be the only person in Texas who would prefer not to have dinner with emotionally volatile, inebriated individuals who are armed to the gills?

It is pointless to stand in front of this freight train, so I can only ask the Legislature to leave loopholes in the law that permit at least some restaurants, schools, workplaces and the like to be gun free.

I would rather take my chances with Professor Pipe than a juiced-up Rambo, given the choice.

In lieu of this, perhaps the Legislature can make the Colt and quick draw holster that I purchase, to even the odds, tax-exempt.

— Steffen Palko, Fort Worth

Recapturing No. 1

Why do people in Texas always tell people that they don’t agree with to leave?

Why can’t we all work together to get Texas back to No. 1 instead of being negative?

Also, a state isn’t great if there are so many people unable to get insured and get good medical care and children are unable to get a good education.

Things have to change here in Texas before anyone can call it No. 1 ever again.

— Joanne Willis, Fort Worth

Excellent service

I want to applaud the Hurst City Council for being recognized as the top city council in the state of Texas.

My wife and I are very proud to have been residents of Hurst for 42 years.

We are volunteers for the city and have been fortunate to learn to know each of the city council members.

I highly endorse Anna Holzer for re-election to her current position as Hurst City Council member in the upcoming election.

Thank you Anna for your continued excellent service to all of us in Hurst.

— Gerald Grieser, Hurst

Letters

Letters must be no longer than 200 words and must have a full name, home street address, city of residence and home and daytime telephone numbers for verification.

Letters endorsing political candidates or ballot issues must be no longer than 150 words. Those for the May 10 elections must be received by 5 p.m. April 30, and those for the May 27 runoffs by 5 p.m. May 21.